I thought that tonight would be great. I have a stand that is located on the elbow of what looks like a bent arm of brush and trees between two crop fields. There is a creek between them also, in front of my stand. Between the creek and my stand there is a grassy opening like a meadow about 40 yards in diameter. When I approach the stand I skirt the meadow so I don't walk where the deer travel. I got in my stand at 4:00 PM and saw nothing until 5:50PM. I saw a 2 1/2 year old 6 point out in the beans. I wasn't interested in him so I just watched. At 6:00PM, it was getting dark so I packed my stuff to get ready to leave. As I was reaching to remove the arrow from my bow, I turned around and saw a deer 10 yards down wind from my stand. A 10 pointer! He didn't smell me because I was 28 feet up and he was too close. He had found my approach trail and was following it to my tree! No time for a shot. He missed where I ducked through some brush to get to my tree and got to the other side of it, then he started RUBBING SOME LIMBS OF THE TREE I WAS IN!! From a distance of 1 yard I judged him to be 134 gross. Well, my goal for this year is something that nets in the 140s, except if it's a clean 10 (5x5) as I've never gotten one. As he moved out from under me I drew on him, but couldn't pick up my pin, too dark. I let down and watched as he got to the other side of the meadow and worked two scrapes. Finally, he moved off. I was able to get down and leave undetected. He doesn't know how lucky he is that he didn't show up 10 minutes earlier! What a cool night! A 10 pointer rubbing the tree you're in![:-]

BTW, after thinking about it, if I see him again, I may pass on him because I know there are bigger ones around. We'll see.

Greg, don't think about it, you'll drive yourself nuts. Make the decision when he stands before you.

You want to know more of an insult, a nice bucking making a scrape and using the branches of the tree your treestand is in for a licking branch when you are in the other stand watching him....now that is an insult. He insulted me so bad that I called him on it and he came in to lip off and I dropped him...

Sounds like a goodnight!

A great hunt I'd say. A chance to watch the best do his thing. They always seem to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong/right time. Been there done that. Been there done that. Been there done that. Been there done that. Been there done that. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

Cool hunt Greg, keep after him.

Sounds like a great time tonight. I can respect your decision not to shoot a 5x5, but I don't have to like it......LOL.

I can only dream of such a buck...

Good hunting and be safe

God Bless

Thanks for the story must have been exciting, it's always cool when they get up close like that. Makes for great hunting memories as well as a good learning experience when dealing with Whitetails.

Good luck

Sounded like fun; you'll get a monster next time.

It's good to know that you're in an area where a 134 inch ten point will make you pass. Sounds like a great spot. Good luck this year.

GregH - stay the course, nice story.
-fsh